Apple iPhone XS review

25 Sept 2018
Same. But different. And yet the same. The iPhones are masters at being that, especially the S series. What Apple obviously can't do is come up with clever names. Worse, the XS may as well go down in history as the worst labeled phone ever. Two letters but one is a Roman numeral. What could go wrong?

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  • Duel
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  • 26 Sep 2018

imRGZ, 26 Sep 2018Well, for every 64gb variant, Apple needs just 370.25USD to... moreSo you just forgot that someone have to make Face ID better, Make camera better, make chip better etc. You think those things are free? you know all the stuff before they actually manufacture the product?

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    • imRGZ
    • U{W
    • 26 Sep 2018

    Duel, 26 Sep 2018"5 Actually any flagship smartphones I'm saying any damn fl... moreWell, for every 64gb variant, Apple needs just 370.25USD to make a single X or even XS, ok max 400 USD for XS Max. So there you go with the manufacturing costs of latest iPhones.
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/784358/manufacturing-costs-of-iphone-x/#0
    Even if we take all other expenses concerned it wont cost Apple more than 500-550USD per device. And their selling price? Almost double or even triple the manufacturing price. And not to forget their service costs, their service charges are equivalent to a new iPhone’s price. It’s no wonder that Apple became a trillion dollar company.

      Duel, 26 Sep 2018"Or you are in some app, and someone texts you and everythi... moreYes, I had that happen to me on every Android I owned, even flagships.

      Now I have a cheapest iPhone (SE) and so far I never experienced any lag...

        disappointment, it costs twice what it's worth

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          • Duel
          • Scq
          • 26 Sep 2018

          kerul, 26 Sep 2018Hey I think you have not better understand the difference b... more"5 Actually any flagship smartphones I'm saying any damn flagship smartphone should not be priced more than $700 and believe me even in $700 they will make profit."

          It is what it is, you have no idea how much they put money to make those phones with all those features. Us consumers is very stupid to talk about prices.

          I would also like everything around me to be cheaper, who wouldn't? it's not how world runs, i'm sure if you would run a company you would also try to make very successful business.

          If people are willing to pay the price it's clearly right price, others ways consumers would stop buying them, but they think the product is worth of the price so i don't see the problem.

            It is the first iPhone with a decent audio capture, please make a sample with a voice or something else than cars passing by.
            I am really curious.

              Kunal Raj, 26 Sep 2018I stopped reading after the Camera section.. Can't even do ... moreApple has been consistently lagging in this cam department for the last few years. This is a reason I end up with a OnePlus phone as a secondary driver as its cam isn't stellar either but maintains a balance of price-performance-updates.

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                • kerul
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                • 26 Sep 2018

                Duel83, 26 Sep 2018"Apple is not selling a phone, but an experience, and that'... moreHey I think you have not better understand the difference between Propitiatory Software and Open Source Software. Secondly it is your blind belief that iOS doesn't have bugs or issues. How many updates you received in year for iOS? have you ever counted? And have you ever read ever release notes which describes how many bug fixed in particular iOS update released? NO and you guys will never do just praise iPhone blindly and throw your money.

                1. iOS is Apple's Propitiatory OS so they maintain on their own. Also they are not give freedom (yes freedom) to their user's like Android is giving. Have you ever tried to use Google Pixel with pure Android? You will change your sentence.

                2. Bloatware in Android is not what OS is offered, it is dumped by few manufacturers for their benefits and Google can not control as it is open source. Android is open source and that is why it has pros and cons and which you have to accept. Since last few years many Android Phones offering split screen or dual screen functionality, where it is in iOS and when they will introduce? And don't tell me it is not use full.

                3. Many iPhone lovers blindly believe that Apple is taking care of user privacy very strictly :) what a lie. Leme recall one few months old news from titling "Apple is re-building its Maps using data gathered from iPhone users". They really admit them selves that they are liking your data like what Android Phone manufacturer are doing and its not new thing. So f**k off your privacy and when you wants to connect with the world with internet and phone you should not worry about your privacy cause when you use sign up with Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram etc etc you yourself blowing away your privacy. Accept it or not.

                4. Hardware!!! It's human mentality that when you spent more you believe what they sell you. But in reality it is not true, and that is why we are saying it their Selling Points. Just check the latest article about "iPhone XS and XS Max drop test doesn't end well".
                And you blind Apple lovers started argue with out of mind. Yes it is true that It's Glass and it is always breakable, but the point is not that. Point is what Apple is advertising to making their phone lovers fool.
                Ohh, I know what you are going to say, every dick and harry is doing that right? Yes it is right but for the f**king $1500+ ? And what more is "The repair cost of the back panel is a whopping $599 on the iPhone XS Max while the front will set you back $329" which is $928 of highest modal cost $1349. Now tell me what is the real cost of iPhone XS 512GB?
                No sorry I want to hear lie from any manufacturer about their product but I'm not out of my mind.

                5 Actually any flagship smartphones I'm saying any damn flagship smartphone should not be priced more than $700 and believe me even in $700 they will make profit.
                Many fanboys arguing for long run value for money. So they are found it worth upgrading every year. What is the point in this argument? It's out of mind.

                iPhone X - $1000 (1 year)
                iPhone XS - $1300 (1 year)
                deduct by $800 for your iPhone X from $1300 of iPhone XS and you will end up with another $500 in just a year to upgrade to new iPhone and like wise you want to spend $500 every year? So where is your value for money. Instead I'll buy any flagship from other company in a range of $600 to $700, use it for two to three years until there is any real significant upgrade in technology. May be I'm throwing away old phone and buy new one.
                So my initial expense is half of the iPhone and yearly loosing max $300. Now calculate your self.

                If you list down like these there are many points which proves that what you fanboys arguing is not true. I'm not fan of any company, cause they are company and they are in market to make profit. But I'm so frustrated that how people are loosing their mind and welcomes companies like Apple and Samsung to looting themselves.

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                  • 26 Sep 2018

                  Realistic1, 26 Sep 2018It is the same as it's name says it is - the improved versi... more"Or you are in some app, and someone texts you and everything lags because of that notification, and lags while opening apps or apps crashing... that won't happen on iOS for example."

                  Things like this happening with android? no wonder why they are so bitter and pissed of all the time.

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                    • Scot
                    • RNJ
                    • 26 Sep 2018

                    I’ve had the XS since Friday (yup tragic) and am loving it.
                    The screen is excellent (thank you Samsung) and the camera wonderful (Sony?).
                    Apple may not manafacture itself but it can put together one hell of a smartphone.
                    This review was very fair. The phone isn’t for every market but so what, it provides the experience that many of us want.

                      It is the same as it's name says it is - the improved version of iPhone X.
                      It's not hard to understand.
                      Price tag is put because of the experience with phone. Like if you turn on your Android device in the morning and it freezes because notifications start coming. Or you are in some app, and someone texts you and everything lags because of that notification, and lags while opening apps or apps crashing... that won't happen on iOS for example.
                      Then you have a capable processor with lots of power and 5 years of software support.
                      Not even Google gives 5 years of support. Enough said.

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                        • Duel
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                        • 26 Sep 2018

                        [deleted post]"A flagship experience that can't match a year old camera is pathetic, to say the least! "

                        iPhone XS definitely has better cam overall than pixel 2, i mean Pixel doesn't even do zoom which gives the whole new level for mobile photography.

                        let's bring the 4x zoom and even longer!

                          [deleted post]You say premium experience and then mention Pocophone?

                          Pocophone is awesome phone for it's price but it's in no way premium. It's made of plastic and it lacks IP certification, that's far away from premium. Note 9 can be called premium for example.

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                            • Anonymous
                            • mnQ
                            • 26 Sep 2018

                            Anonymous, 26 Sep 2018You got it completely wrong. They said Apple does not regar... moreHow many android users flip between iOS and Android? I’ve found it’s android uses who are closed minded. iOS users tend to have tried android but found iOS to be far better. Android users tend to have not used iOS and still believe they are making an informed decision but were actually just narrow minded.

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                              • Anonymous
                              • PGq
                              • 26 Sep 2018

                              Oh there is one more CON:
                              -eSim in some dual-SIM models. How is it convenient and practical? You can't just take the eSIM out, it's locked in the slot into one carrier and you're pretty much f****d when traveling to other countries.

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                                • Anonymous
                                • PGq
                                • 26 Sep 2018

                                Cons
                                -Design is unchanged compared to last year's iPhone X
                                -It's iOS and it has a ton of restrictions, especially customization-wise
                                -Storage upgrades are exorbitantly expensive on top of already high base price
                                -(Cr)Apple, please put the camera settings in the camera where they belong already!
                                -No 3.5mm jack since iPhone 7, now need to pay for a $$ dongle, come on! PUT the 3.5mm jack where it belongs like iPhone SE, iPhone 6S and below for convenience, practicality and logical sake!
                                -No microsd slot since Original iPhone 2G, come on! It's 2018 already! It's been MORE THAN 10 years and you couldn't bother including it at least on proper dual-SIM models like a hybrid slot for example! Everyone should have CHOICES where they want to store! NOT everyone wants to store data in a cloud!
                                -No fast charger in the box, come on! It's 2018 already! Yet we have to "donate" $$ to get fast charger. Even your closest rival, *cough* Sams*** *cough* has one in the box!
                                -FUGLY NOTCH since iPhone X. Its hideous! Just like the upcoming Pixel 3 XL! That blocks the full-screen experience when playing games / watching videos etc.
                                -No home button since iPhone X. How is that going to be easy for a first time iPhone buyer? Using gestures?? What if the screen gets cracked at the bottom, you can't go back to the home screen & you're pretty much f****d.
                                -No Touch ID since iPhone X. (Cr)Apple, at least implement it in the power button! Not EVERYONE wants to use Face ID because of security, privacy reasons!

                                There, fixed it for you.

                                  Anonymous, 26 Sep 2018This just one year into the future, please. The X will disa... moreBecause they don't want to decrease their prices unlike Samsung.
                                  You know, greed.

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                                    • Anonymous
                                    • PGq
                                    • 26 Sep 2018

                                    "Apple failed to make that thing work - if the rumors are to be believed, it's due to overheating issues - and they've quietly scrubbed all mentions of the mat from its websites. That's surely one way to do it, but the internet will remember it forever."

                                    Sams*** *cough* wireless charger mat has NEVER PRODUCED ANY OVERHEATING issues unlike (Cr)Apple. What is Tim C(r)ook doing?? Heck, even Steve Jobs could have made that work without overheating.

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                                      • Anonymous
                                      • t@T
                                      • 26 Sep 2018

                                      Duel83, 26 Sep 2018"Apple is not selling a phone, but an experience, and that'... moreDisagree apple have had their fair share of bugs just like any OS so your comment is null

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                                        • Nzi97
                                        • tue
                                        • 26 Sep 2018

                                        Duel83, 26 Sep 2018"Apple is not selling a phone, but an experience, and that'... moreYup pretty much so, and the service they sell is either hate or like it, there's no middle ground
                                        Pretty much Android and iOS debate has point out the UI UX of iOS system is the definite factor of total hate or a deal maker, while Android is mostly about Hardware they offer for the money